Methods and systems for distributing information on transportation vehicles

ABSTRACT

Methods and systems are provided for communicating an announcement to passengers on a transportation vehicle. For example, one method includes providing an information system on the vehicle having at least one of a wireless access point and a plurality of seat display devices and operating the information system to communicate with the wireless access point or the seat display devices. The method includes playing audio corresponding to the announcement over a public address system of the vehicle, and causing text corresponding to the audio to display on the seat display devices or personal electronic devices in communication with the wireless access point.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to transportation vehicles in general,and more particularly, to distributing information on transportationvehicles.

BACKGROUND

Transportation vehicles, for example, aircraft, trains, buses,recreation vehicle, boats and other similar vehicles use variouscomputing devices for providing various functions, includingentertainment, system control, content storage, and other functions.These computing devices include hardware (for example, servers,switches, network interface cards, storage adapters, storage devices andothers) and software (for example, server applications, operatingsystems, firmware, management applications, application programminginterface (APIs) and others).

Transportation vehicles today have individualized functional equipmentdedicated to a particular passenger seat, which can be utilized by apassenger, such as adjustable seats, adjustable environmental controls,adjustable lighting, telephony systems, video and/or audio entertainmentsystems, crew communication systems, and the like. For example, manycommercial airplanes have individualized video and audio entertainmentsystems, often referred to as “in-flight entertainment” or “IFE”systems.

It has become quite commonplace for travelers to carry personalelectronic devices (PEDs) having wireless communication capability, suchas cellular phones, smart phones, tablet computers, laptop computers,and other portable electronic devices. This includes passengers and crewtraveling on all types of transportation including the vehicles ofcommon carriers, such as airplanes, passenger trains, buses, cruiseships, sightseeing vehicles (e.g., ships, boats, buses, cars, etc.).Many of these personal electronic devices have the capability to executeapplication software programs (“apps”) to perform various functions,including controlling other devices and systems.

In conventional flights, safety messages are often pre-recorded andplayed for passengers. This is a challenge for hearing impairedpassengers because they may not be able to hear the audio. Airline crewmember often have to personally check the hearing impaired passengers.Furthermore, when text messages are transmitted to passengers, one ormore passenger may be visually impaired that may not be able to properlysee a displayed message. Continuous efforts are being made toefficiently transmit messages on aircrafts and other transportationvehicles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various features of the present disclosure will now be describedwith reference to the drawings of the various aspects disclosed herein.In the drawings, the same components may have the same referencenumerals. The illustrated aspects are intended to illustrate, but not tolimit the present disclosure. The drawings include the followingFigures:

FIG. 1A shows an example of an operating environment for implementingthe various aspects of the present disclosure on an aircraft;

FIG. 1B shows an example of the operating environment on a non-aircrafttransportation vehicle type, according to one aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 2 shows an example of a content distribution system, used accordingto one aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3A shows an example of an overall system for distributinginformation to passengers on an aircraft, according to one aspect of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 3B shows a block diagram of a translation module used in the systemof FIG. 3A, according to one aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4A shows a process flow diagram for distributing pre-recorded audioon a transportation vehicle, according to one aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 4B shows a process flow diagram for transmitting text on atransportation vehicle, according to one aspect of the presentdisclosure; and

FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of a computing system, used according toone aspect of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As a preliminary note, the terms “component”, “module”, “system”, andthe like as used herein are intended to refer to a computer-relatedentity, either software-executing general purpose processor, hardware,firmware or a combination thereof. For example, a component may be, butis not limited to being, a process running on a hardware processor, ahardware processor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution, aprogram, and/or a computer.

By way of illustration, both an application running on a server and theserver can be a component. One or more components may reside within aprocess and/or thread of execution, and a component may be localized onone computer and/or distributed between two or more computers. Also,these components can execute from various computer readable media havingvarious data structures stored thereon. The components may communicatevia local and/or remote processes such as in accordance with a signalhaving one or more data packets (e.g., data from one componentinteracting with another component in a local system, distributedsystem, and/or across a network such as the Internet with other systemsvia the signal).

Computer executable components can be stored, for example, onnon-transitory, computer/machine readable media including, but notlimited to, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), CD(compact disc), DVD (digital video disk), ROM (read only memory), harddisk, EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read only memory),solid state memory device or any other storage device, in accordancewith the claimed subject matter.

In one aspect, innovative computing technology is provided forpresenting messages to passengers based on language preference andaccommodate passenger impairments, for example, hearing and visualimpairments. The technology enables conversion/translation ofpre-recorded audio messages into text for hearing impaired passengersand presenting the converted/translated text in a language of choice ona PED, seat device or other display. The technology also enablesconversion/translation of pre-defined text messages into audio in alanguage of choice for visually impaired passengers.

Methods and systems for a transportation vehicle are provided. Forexample, one method includes selecting pre-recorded audio fortransmission to passengers on a transportation vehicle; determining by aprocessor a language preference for the passengers and if any passengerhas any impairment; converting by the processor the pre-recorded audiointo text in a first language for hearing impaired passengers;displaying the text by the processor in the first language on a personalelectronic device, when there is no language preference; translating thetext by the processor from the first language to a second language,based on the determined language preference; and displaying the text bythe processor in the second language on the personal electronic device.

In another aspect, a method includes selecting text for transmission topassengers on a transportation vehicle; determining by a processor alanguage preference for the passengers and if any passenger has anyimpairment; displaying the text by the processor in a first language ona personal electronic device when there is no language preference;translating the text by the processor from the first language to asecond language, based on the determined language preference; displayingthe text by the processor in the second language on the personalelectronic device; translating the text by the processor into audio inthe first language for a visually impaired passenger; and presenting theaudio to the visually impaired passenger by the processor in the firstlanguage.

Vehicle Information System: FIG. 1A shows an example of a genericvehicle information system 100A (also referred to as system 100A) thatcan be configured for installation aboard an aircraft 132, according toone aspect of the present disclosure. When installed on an aircraft,system 100A can comprise an aircraft passenger IFE system, such as theSeries 2000, 3000, eFX, eX2, eXW, and/or any other in-flightentertainment system developed and provided by Panasonic AvionicsCorporation (without derogation of any trademark rights of PanasonicAvionics Corporation) of Lake Forest, Calif., the assignee of thisapplication.

System 100A comprises at least one content source 113 and one or moreuser (or passenger) interface systems (may also be referred to as a seatdevice/seatback device) 114 that communicate with a real-time contentdistribution system 104. The content sources 113 may include one or moreinternal content sources, such as a media server system 112, that areinstalled aboard the aircraft 132, one or more remote (or terrestrial)content sources 116 that can be external from the aircraft 132, or adistributed content system. The media server system 112 can be providedas an information system controller for providing overall system controlfunctions for system 100A and/or for storing viewing content 124,including pre-programmed viewing content and/or content 120 downloadedto the aircraft, as desired. The viewing content 124 can includetelevision programming content, music content, podcast content,photograph album content, audiobook content, and/or movie contentwithout limitation. The viewing content as shown and described hereinare not exhaustive and are provided herein for purposes of illustrationonly and not for purposes of limitation.

The server system 112 can include, and/or communicate with, one or moreconventional peripheral media storage systems (not shown), includingoptical media devices, such as a digital video disk (DVD) system or acompact disk (CD) system, and/or magnetic media systems, such as a videocassette recorder (VCR) system, a solid state drive (SSD) system, or ahard disk drive (HDD) system, of any suitable kind, for storing thepreprogrammed content and/or the downloaded content 120.

The viewing content 124 can comprise any conventional type of audioand/or video viewing content, such as stored (or time-delayed) viewingcontent and/or live (or real-time) viewing content. As desired, theviewing content 124 can include geographical information. Alternatively,and/or additionally, to entertainment content, such as live satellitetelevision programming and/or live satellite radio programming, theviewing content likewise can include two-way communications, such asreal-time access to the Internet 118 and/or telecommunications.

Being configured to distribute and/or present the viewing content 124provided by one or more selected content sources 113, system 100A cancommunicate with the content sources 113 in real time and in anyconventional manner, including via wired and/or wireless communications.System 100A and the terrestrial content source 116, for example, cancommunicate directly and/or indirectly via an intermediate communicationsystem, such as a satellite communication system 122.

System 100A can receive content 120 from a selected terrestrial contentsource 116 and/or transmit (upload) content 128, including navigationand other control instructions, to the terrestrial content source 116.As desired, the terrestrial content source 116 can be configured tocommunicate with other terrestrial content sources (not shown). Theterrestrial content source 116 is shown as providing access to theInternet 118. Although shown and described as comprising the satellitecommunication system 122 for purposes of illustration, the communicationsystem can comprise any conventional type of wireless communicationsystem, such as a cellular communication system (not shown) and/or anAircraft Ground Information System (AGIS) communication system (notshown).

To facilitate communications with the terrestrial content sources 116,system 100A may also include an antenna system 110 and a transceiversystem 108 for receiving the viewing content from the remote (orterrestrial) content sources 116. The antenna system 110 preferably isdisposed outside, such as an exterior surface of a fuselage 136 of theaircraft 132. The antenna system 110 can receive viewing content 124from the terrestrial content source 116 and provide the received viewingcontent 124, as processed by the transceiver system 108, to a computersystem 106 of system 100A. The computer system 106 can provide thereceived viewing content 124 to the media (or content) server system 112and/or directly to one or more of the user interfaces 114 including aPED, as desired. Although shown and described as being separate systemsfor purposes of illustration, the computer system 106 and the mediaserver system 112 can be at least partially integrated.

The user interface system 114 may be computing terminals incommunication with an access point 130. The user interface system 114provides a display device to view content. The user interface system 114includes a hardware interface to connect to an access point 130 thatprovides a wired and/or a wireless connection for the user interfacesystem.

In at least one embodiment, the user interface system 114 comprises asoftware application that a user downloads and installs on a personalelectronic device (PED) to receive and view content via an access point130, described below in detail. While bandwidth limitation issues mayoccur in a wired system on a vehicle, such as an aircraft 132, ingeneral the wired portion of the vehicle information 100A system isdesigned with sufficient bandwidth to support all users aboard thevehicle, i.e., passengers.

The user interface system 114 can include an input system (not shown)for permitting the user (or passenger) to communicate with system 100A,such as via an exchange of control signals 138. For example, the inputsystem can permit the user to enter one or more user instructions 140for controlling the operation of system 100A. Illustrative userinstructions 140 can include instructions for initiating communicationwith the content source 113, instructions for selecting viewing content124 for presentation, and/or instructions for controlling thepresentation of the selected viewing content 124. If a fee is requiredfor accessing the viewing content 124 or for any other reason, paymentinformation likewise can be entered via the input system. The inputsystem can be provided in any conventional manner and typically includesa touch screen, a microphone for voice input, one or more switches (orpushbuttons), such as a keyboard or a keypad, and/or a pointing device,such as a mouse, trackball, or stylus.

In one aspect, the user interface system 114 is provided at individualpassenger seats of aircraft 132. The user interface system 114 can beadapted to different aircraft and seating arrangements and the adaptiveaspects described herein are not limited to any specific seatarrangements or user interface types.

FIG. 1B shows an example of implementing the vehicle information system100B (may be referred to as system 100B) on an automobile 134 that mayinclude a bus, a recreational vehicle, a boat, and/or a train, or anyother type of passenger vehicle without limitation. The variouscomponents of system 100B may be similar to the components of system100A described above with respect to FIG. 1A and for brevity are notdescribed again.

Content Distribution System: FIG. 2 illustrates an example of thecontent distribution system 104 for the vehicle information system 200(similar to 100A/100B), according to one aspect of the presentdisclosure. The content distribution system 104 couples, and supportscommunication between the server system 112, and the plurality of userinterface systems 114.

The content distribution system 104, for example, can be provided as aconventional wired and/or wireless communication network, including atelephone network, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network(WAN), a campus area network (CAN), personal area network (PAN) and/or awireless local area network (WLAN) of any kind. Exemplary wireless localarea networks include wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) networks in accordancewith Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Standard802.11 and/or wireless metropolitan-area networks (MANs), which also areknown as WiMax Wireless Broadband, in accordance with IEEE Standard802.16.

Preferably being configured to support high data transfer rates, thecontent distribution system 104 may comprise a high-speed Ethernetnetwork, such as any type of Fast Ethernet (such as 100 Base-X and/or100 Base-T) communication network and/or Gigabit (such as 1000 Base-Xand/or 1000 Base-T) Ethernet communication network, with a typical datatransfer rate of at least approximately one hundred megabits per second(100 Mbps) or any other transfer rate. To achieve high data transferrates in a wireless communications environment, free-space optics (orlaser) technology, millimeter wave (or microwave) technology, and/orUltra-Wideband (UWB) technology can be utilized to supportcommunications among the various system resources, as desired.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the distribution system 104 can be provided asa plurality of area distribution boxes (ADBs) 206, a plurality of floordisconnect boxes (FDBs) 208, and a plurality of seat electronics boxes(SEBs) (and/or video seat electronics boxes (VSEBs) and/or premium seatelectronics boxes (PSEBs)) 210 being configured to communicate in realtime via a plurality of wired and/or wireless communication connections212.

The distribution system 104 likewise can include a switching system 202for providing an interface between the distribution system 104 and theserver system 112. The switching system 202 can comprise a conventionalswitching system, such as an Ethernet switching system, and isconfigured to couple the server system 112 with the area distributionboxes 206. Each of the area distribution boxes 206 is coupled with, andcommunicates with, the switching system 202. In addition, thedistribution system 104 includes one or more wireless access points(WAPs) (130A to 130N) connected in communication with the switch system202 for wireless distribution of content to user interface systems 114including PEDs.

Each of the area distribution boxes 202, in turn, is coupled with, andcommunicates with, at least one floor disconnect box 208. Although thearea distribution boxes 206 and the associated floor disconnect boxes208 can be coupled in any conventional configuration, the associatedfloor disconnect boxes 208 preferably are disposed in a star networktopology about a central area distribution box 206 as illustrated inFIG. 2. Each floor disconnect box 208 is coupled with, and services, aplurality of daisy-chains of seat electronics boxes 210. The seatelectronics boxes 210, in turn, are configured to communicate with theuser interface systems 114. Each seat electronics box 210 can supportone or more of the user interface systems 114.

The switching systems 202, the area distribution boxes 206, the floordisconnect boxes 208, the seat electronics boxes (and/or video seatelectronics boxes (VSEBs) and/or premium seat electronics boxes (PSEBs))210, the antenna system 110, the transceiver system 108, the contentsource 113, the server system 112, and other system resources of thevehicle information system preferably are provided as line replaceableunits (LRUs). The use of LRUs facilitate maintenance of the vehicleinformation system 200 because a defective LRU can simply be removedfrom the vehicle information system 200 and replaced with a new (ordifferent) LRU. The defective LRU thereafter can be repaired forsubsequent installation. Advantageously, the use of LRUs can promoteflexibility in configuring the content distribution system 104 bypermitting ready modification of the number, arrangement, and/orconfiguration of the system resources of the content distribution system104. The content distribution system 104 likewise can be readilyupgraded by replacing any obsolete LRUs with new LRUs.

The distribution system 104 can include at least one FDB internal portbypass connection 214 and/or at least one SEB loopback connection 216.Each FDB internal port bypass connection 214 is a communicationconnection 212 that permits floor disconnect boxes 208 associated withdifferent area distribution boxes 206 to directly communicate. Each SEBloopback connection 216 is a communication connection 212 that directlycouples the last seat electronics box 210 in each daisy-chain of seatelectronics boxes 210 for a selected floor disconnect box 208 as shownin FIG. 2. Each SEB loopback connection 216 therefore forms a loopbackpath among the daisy-chained seat electronics boxes 210 coupled with therelevant floor disconnect box 208.

It is noteworthy that the various aspects of the present disclosure maybe implemented without using FDB 208. When FDB 208 is not used, ADB 206communicates directly with SEB 210 and/or server system 112 maycommunicate directly with SEB 210 or the seats. The various aspects ofthe present disclosure are not limited to any specific networkconfiguration.

System 300: FIG. 3A shows an example of a system 300 having a processorexecuted translation module 312 (may also be referred to as module 312)for converting and translating pre-recorded audio to text, for example,for hearing impaired passengers, according to one aspect of the presentdisclosure. Translation as used herein includes selecting textcorresponding to the audio, i.e., the audio has been pre-translated ortranscribed. In another aspect, module 312 converts text into audio forvisually impaired passengers, as described below in more detail.Converting text as used herein, includes selecting audio correspondingto the text, i.e., the text has been pre-converted. In one aspect, apre-recorded audio message after translation may be displayed on a PED302. This is especially useful for aircraft that do not have a seatdevice 326.

Module 312 may be executed on an onboard management system 344 and/or ona crew management device (may be referred to as “CMD”) 301. In oneaspect, the onboard management system 344 may be similar to computersystem 106 and/or server 112 described above with respect to FIGS.1A/1B. In another aspect, module 312 may be executed on the PED 302,when a passenger is attempting to send a message to the crew.

As an example, module 312 retrieves pre-recorded audio 319 that isstored on a storage device (for example, 307). The audio is firstconverted into text and depending on the flight, may be translated intoone or more languages by the translation module 312 using a translationdata structure 317 described below in detail. The text is then displayedon PED 302.

In another aspect, the translation module 312 may also retrievepre-defined text messages 321 and based on the flight, the text istranslated into one or more languages and displayed on PED 302(translation includes selecting text in another language correspondingto the pre-defined text message 321). For visually impaired passengers,the text is converted into audio and played on the PED 302 and/or theseat device 326.

In one aspect, CMD 301 may be a mobile phone, a notebook, a tablet, alaptop or any other similar device. CMD 301 may include a processor 303that has access to a memory 323 via a bus system/interconnect (notshown) for executing stored instructions. The bus system may representany one or more separate physical buses and/or point-to-pointconnections, connected by appropriate bridges, adapters and/orcontrollers. The bus system may include, for example, a system bus, aPeripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus, a PCI-Express bus, aHyperTransport or industry standard architecture (ISA) bus, a smallcomputer system interface (SCSI) bus, a universal serial bus (USB), oran Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standard1394 bus (sometimes referred to as “Firewire”) or any other interconnecttype.

Processor 303 may be, or may include, one or more programmable, hardwarebased, general-purpose or special-purpose microprocessors, digitalsignal processors (DSPs), programmable controllers, application specificintegrated circuits (ASICs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), or thelike, or a combination of such hardware devices.

CMD 301 typically includes a microphone 336 for receiving a voice input,according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

In one aspect, CMD 301 includes a display 313 to display information.Display 313 may also include a touch screen for receiving inputcommands. Display 313 may also be used to receive messages frompassengers.

The CMD 301 includes a storage device 307 that may be, or may includeany storage medium for storing data in a non-volatile manner, such asone or more magnetic or optical based disks, flash memory, orsolid-state drive. The storage device 316 may be used to storepre-recorded audio 319, pre-defined text 321, module 312, translationdata structure 317 and a crew management interface (CMI) 315 that may beexecuted out of memory 323. The processes for using module 312 aredescribed below in detail.

The CMI 315 enables the CMD 301 to interface with the onboard managementsystem 344 via a CMD communication module 309. The CMD 301 may presentone or more APIs (application programming interface(s)) to themanagement system 344 to retrieve passenger/flight data, the prerecordedaudio 319, pre-defined text 321, as well as translation data structure317. The non-limiting API format and syntax will depend on the protocolsused by the CMD 301 and the onboard management system 344.

In one aspect, the CMD communication module 309 is also used tocommunicate with the seat device 326, when installed, and one or morePEDs 302. In one aspect, the CMD communication module 309 may includeone or more interfaces to communicate with different devices, includingWi-Fi interface, Bluetooth interface, NFC (Near Field Communication)interface and others. The adaptive aspects described herein are notlimited to any specific interface. It is noteworthy that although asingle block is shown for the CMD communication module 309 forconvenience, the communication module may have different interface,cards, logic and circuitry to comply with the different communicationprotocols/standards.

In one aspect, the onboard management system 344 includes a server 345(similar to the media server 112 and/or computer system 106). The server345 includes a processor 346 that has access to a memory 350 via a bussystem/interconnect (not shown). The bus system may represent any one ormore separate physical buses and/or point-to-point connections,connected by appropriate bridges, adapters and/or controllers. The bussystem may include, for example, a system bus, a Peripheral ComponentInterconnect (PCI) bus, a PCI-Express bus, a HyperTransport or industrystandard architecture (ISA) bus, a small computer system interface(SCSI) bus, a universal serial bus (USB), or an Institute of Electricaland Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standard 1394 bus (sometimes referredto as “Firewire”) or any other interconnect type.

Processor 346 may be, or may include, one or more programmable,hardware-based, general-purpose or special-purpose microprocessors,digital signal processors (DSPs), programmable controllers, applicationspecific integrated circuits (ASICs), programmable logic devices (PLDs),or the like, or a combination of such devices.

Processor 346 has access to a storage device 348 that may be used tostore data (for example, pre-defined text 321, pre-recorded audio 319,passenger data 352, translation data structure 317 and otherinformation) applications and program files, including system software356, module 312, application 311, translation module 312 and others.

System software 356 of the onboard management system 344 is executed bythe processor 346 to control the overall operation of the server 345including monitoring the status of network connections to groundsystems. Application 311 may be downloaded by passengers using anauthorized PED 302 for accessing entertainment content or any otherinformation.

In one aspect, the onboard management system 344 maintains flight andpassenger data 352, for example, flight itinerary including originlocation, layover locations, destination location, language preferencefor translating messages from one language to another, arrival time andother information. Data 352 may also include passenger data thatidentifies each passenger for a flight, a seat assigned to a passenger,a language preference for the passenger, passenger impairment status(for example, visual impairment, hearing impairment and other impairmenttype) and any other information that can uniquely identify thepassengers. Data 352 may be retrieved from an airline ground system (notshown) before flight departure and may be updated during flight.

In one aspect, server 345 communicates with CMD 301, PED 302 and/or seatdevice 326 via a communication interface 358. The communicationinterface 358 may also be used to receive information from the ground,for example, data 352 and other information. The communication interface358 includes one or more interfaces for a wired and/or wirelessconnection, as described above with respect to FIGS. 1A/1B and 2.

In one aspect, PED 302 may be a mobile phone, a notebook, a tablet, alaptop or any other similar device. PED 302 may include a processor 306that has access to a memory 310 via a bus system/interconnect (notshown) for executing stored instructions. The bus system may representany one or more separate physical buses and/or point-to-pointconnections, connected by appropriate bridges, adapters and/orcontrollers. The bus system may include, for example, a system bus, aPeripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus, a PCI-Express bus, aHyperTransport or industry standard architecture (ISA) bus, a smallcomputer system interface (SCSI) bus, a universal serial bus (USB), oran Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standard1394 bus (sometimes referred to as “Firewire”) or any other interconnecttype.

Processor 306 may be, or may include, one or more programmable, hardwarebased, general-purpose or special-purpose microprocessors, digitalsignal processors (DSPs), programmable controllers, application specificintegrated circuits (ASICs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), or thelike, or a combination of such hardware devices.

PEDs 302 typically includes a microphone 336 for receiving a voiceinput, according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

The PED 302 includes a storage device 316 that may be, or may includeany storage medium for storing data in a non-volatile manner, such asone or more magnetic or optical based disks, flash memory, orsolid-state drive. The storage device 316 may be used to store contentdisplayed on a display 304 of PED 302 when used by a passenger. In oneaspect, display 304 may include a touch screen for receiving inputcommands. In another aspect, display 304 may be used to display textmessages from crew members, as described below in detail.

The storage device 316 may also store an application 311 that may beexecuted out of memory 310. Application 311 may be used to pair the PEDwith the aircraft systems to receive content and communicate withaircraft crew. Application 311 may be used to store passenger languagepreference and impairment status. Application 311 may enable a pop-upwindow for displaying text for public announcements, as described belowin detail. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the vehicle information system100A or 100 b includes a public address (PA) system 115 having at leastone speaker 117, and typically several speakers along the passengercompartment, for audio announcements.

Returning to FIG. 3A, application 311 may be made available for downloadand installation on PEDs 302 via a public repository such as thatmaintained respectively under the trademark GOOGLE PLAY by Google, Inc.and/or the APP STORE maintained by Apple Inc. In addition, application311 may be provided for download by an airline carrier on a website orfrom the onboard management system 344.

In one aspect, PED 302 uses a PED communication module 308 tocommunicate with the seat device 326, when installed on the onboardmanagement system 344. In one aspect, PED communication module 308 mayinclude one or more interfaces to communicate with different devices,including Wi-Fi interface, Bluetooth interface, NFC (Near FieldCommunication) interface and others. The adaptive aspects describedherein are not limited to any specific interface. It is noteworthy thatalthough a single block is shown for the PED communication module 308for convenience, the communication module may have different interface,cards, logic and circuitry to comply with the different communicationprotocols/standards.

Although the description below is based on sending messages to apassenger or passengers, the various aspects may be implemented forreceiving messages from the passengers to a crew member on CMD 301. Inthat aspect, module 312 may be executed by the PED 302 for inputting amessage to a crew member and translating the message into a languagepreferred by a crew member (translation is not required if the preferredlanguage of the passenger and crew member are the same). In anotheraspect, module 312 is integrated with application 311. The module 312 asprovided for non-crew passenger PEDs 302 may be limited to inputting amessage to a crew member and translation thereof.

The module 312 may also be made available for download and installationon PEDs 302 via a public repository such as that maintained respectivelyunder the trademark GOOGLE PLAY by Google, Inc. and/or the APP STOREmaintained by Apple Inc. In addition, the module 312 may be provided fordownload by the carrier on a website or from the onboard managementsystem 344. Alternatively, the module 312 may be loaded by the operatoronto operator-owned PEDs 302 that it maintains and hands out topassengers.

In one aspect, the seat device 326 includes a display device 330, aprocessor 332, a memory 340, a communication interface 328 and a localstorage device 342 for storing content. The seat device 326 receivesuser input/requests via an input module 338. The input module 338 may beconfigured to use a local touch screen included with display 330, alocal virtual keyboard, an external mouse, external keyboard or anyother input device. The various adaptive aspects described herein arenot limited to any specific input device.

Processor 332 has access to memory 340 via an interconnect 305.Processor 332 may be, or may include, one or more programmablegeneral-purpose or special-purpose microprocessors, digital signalprocessors (DSPs), programmable controllers, application specificintegrated circuits (ASICs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), or thelike, or a combination of such devices.

The bus system 305 is an abstraction that represents any one or moreseparate physical buses and/or point-to-point connections, connected byappropriate bridges, adapters and/or controllers. The bus system 305,therefore, may include, for example, a system bus, a PeripheralComponent Interconnect (PCI) bus, a PCI-Express bus, a HyperTransport orindustry standard architecture (ISA) bus, a small computer systeminterface (SCSI) bus, a universal serial bus (USB), or an Institute ofElectrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standard 1394 bus (sometimesreferred to as “Firewire”) or any other interconnect type.

In one aspect, processor 336 executes an IFE layer 334 that providesin-flight entertainment and other options to users. The IFE layer 334provides audio/video content as well as controls for accessing thecontent. The IFE layer 334 uses the communication interface 328 tointerface with the PED 302 and/or onboard management system 344. Thecommunication interface 328 includes logic and circuitry for interfacingwith the onboard management system 344 and/or PED 302. In one aspect,the communication interface 328 may use a wireless and/or wiredconnection for such communication.

The seat device 326 on the aircraft may be part of the user interfacesystem 114 or interfaces with the user interface system 114 alsodescribed above with respect to FIGS. 1A/1B. It is noteworthy that theseat device 326 need not be mounted on the back of a seat and may besupported from other structures, such as a bulkhead, wall, arm of aseat, etc. The adaptive aspects of the present disclosure are notlimited to any specific location or orientation of the seat device 326.

In one aspect, the seat device 326 may be used by passengers for sendingmessages to a crew member at CMD 301. In that aspect, module 312 may beexecuted by the seat device 326 or integrated with the IFE layer 334 forinputting a message to a crew member and translating the message into alanguage preferred by a crew member (translation is not required if thepreferred language of the passenger and crew member are the same). Themodule 312 as provided for seat device 326 may be limited to inputting amessage to a crew member and translation thereof.

Module 312: FIG. 3B shows a block diagram of the translation module 312,in one aspect of the present disclosure. In one aspect, module 312 maybe executed by a CMD 301, server 345, PED 302, seat device 326 or anyother authorized computing device on the aircraft. The description belowof module 312 is based on an aircraft but the adaptive aspects of thepresent disclosure may be implemented on any transportation vehicle.

Module 312 includes a receiving module 362 that receives an input 360.The input may be based on pre-recorded audio 319 and/or pre-defined text321. The input is provided to a processing module 364 that converts theaudio into text or text into audio based on the input 360. Theprocessing module 364 may also translate the converted input into one ormore languages from a first language to one or more other languages. Oneor more translation package(s) 317A is used for translating audio/textfrom the first language to one or more languages. In one aspect,translation package(s) 317A are stored selectively based on thetranslation languages for a specific flight. The translation languagesmay be based on a flight itinerary (e.g., origin, destination andlayovers) as well as on airline passenger preference defined by data352. In one aspect, module 312 downloads translation package(s) 317Afrom a ground system (not shown) based on flight schedules/passengerdata. This is efficient because then the aircraft only has to store whatit needs for a specific flight. For pre-recorded audio 319 and/orpre-defined text 321, the translation packages 317A includepre-translated versions in each language such that conversion isperformed by selecting the translation corresponding to the pre-recordedaudio and/or pre-defined text.

In one aspect, the processing module 364 generates an output 361 that isprovided to an output module 370 for transmission to PEDs 302 and/orseat devices 326. The output 361 may be text when audio is converted totext or the output may be audio, when text is converted to audio, asdescribed below in detail. Alternatively, the output 361 causes anapplication on the PEDs 302 to select text or audio stored within theapplication for presentation on the PED.

Process Flow: FIG. 4A shows a process flow 400 fortransmitting/distributing pre-recorded audio 319, according to oneaspect of the present disclosure. Although the process is described withrespect to an aircraft, the innovative technology described herein maybe implemented on any transportation vehicle.

In one aspect, the process begins in block B402, when the pre-recordedaudio 319 has been stored. The audio may be updated by an airline crewmember. In one aspect, pre-recorded audio may include messages like,“fasten seat belt” and other messages. Translation data package(s) 317Ais also initialized. The type of translation package may be based on aflight itinerary and/or based on passenger needs/preferences.

In block B404, a crew member using CMD 301 may select a specific messagefrom the pre-recorded audio 319.

In block B406, flight and passenger data 352 is also obtained from anairline system (not shown) to determine translation needs and toidentify passengers with hearing and visual impairments. Data 352 mayalso include information regarding the aircraft, including seat deviceinformation, overhead display device information, flight itinerary withflight origin location, layover and destination location information,seat layout for an aircraft and other information. Passenger data mayinclude passenger name, seat numbers, a language preference, impairmentinformation, if any, and other information. The flight information mayalso include airline preference for language translation for voiceinput. For example, for a specific flight an airline may requesttranslation based only on origin/destination. In another instance, theairline may specify additional languages.

In block B408, the audio is first converted into text in a firstlanguage for at least hearing impaired passengers and/or for allnon-visually impaired passengers. The first language may be a defaultlanguage specified by the airline or may be based on the flightitinerary. The text may then be translated into one or more languagesbased on airline and/or passenger preferences as determined in blockB406. In another aspect, the audio is translated into another languagefor visually impaired passengers, based on language preferences.

The translated text is displayed on passenger PED 302 in block B410A. Inanother aspect, the text is displayed on PED 302 and seat device 326,when seat device 326 is installed on the aircraft. If there is notranslation, then the converted text is displayed in the first languageon the PED 302 and/or the seat device 326.

In yet another aspect, the translated text may also be displayed on anoverhead system (not shown). In that instance, the text is displayed inone or two languages based on space constraints. The languages may bebased on flight itinerary and/or defined by the airline carrier.

For visually impaired passengers identified in block B406, the recordedmessage is played in block B410B on the PED 302 in the first language.In one aspect, the message is translated into another language andplayed in the other language.

FIG. 4B shows a process flow 412 for transmitting/distributingpre-defined text 321, according to one aspect of the present disclosure.In one aspect, the process begins in block B414, when the pre-definedtext 321 has been stored. The pre-defined text may be updated by airlinecrew, for example, using CMD 301. Translation data package(s) 317A isinitialized. The type of translation package may be based on a flightitinerary or based on passenger needs/preferences.

In block B416, a specific message from the pre-defined text is selectedfor distribution.

In block B418, module 312 determines translation languages if any forthe selected text. This may be determined by retrieving flight andpassenger data 352. The flight data may include information regardingthe aircraft, including, seat device information, flight itinerary withflight origin location, layover and destination location information,seat layout for an aircraft and other information. Passenger data mayinclude passenger name, impairment information (for example, visualimpairment, hearing impairment and others), seat numbers, a languagepreference and other information. The flight information may alsoinclude airline preference for language translation. For example, for aspecific flight an airline may request translation based only onorigin/destination. In another instance, the airline may specifyadditional languages.

In block B420, message recipients that are visually impaired isdetermined. This information is obtained from passenger data 352.

In block B422, the translation module 312 converts the text message intoaudio in a first language for the visually impaired passengers. Theconverted message may also be translated from the first language intoone or more languages based on passenger and/or airline preference. Inanother aspect, for non-visually impaired passengers, the select textmessage is also translated from the first language into one or morelanguages based on passenger and/or airline preference.

In block B424, the translated text messages are displayed on the PEDs302, the seat devices 326 and/or overhead systems (not shown), while theaudio is played for the visually impaired based on passenger preference.If there is no translation, then the original text message is displayedon the PEDs 302 and/or the seat devices 326 and the converted audio isplayed in the first language for visually impaired passengers.Thereafter, the process ends.

The technology disclosed herein enables transportation vehicle carriers(for example, airlines) to provide personalized and customized messagesfor passengers including passengers with hearing and visual impairments.This improves travel experience and is also effective for emergencies.For example, if an evacuation is ordered, passengers receiving messagesin their language are more likely to follow procedures.

Processing System: FIG. 5 is a high-level block diagram showing anexample of the architecture of a processing system 500 that may be usedaccording to one aspect. The processing system 500 can represent CMD301, media server 112, computing system 106, WAP 130, onboard managementsystem 344, seat device 326 or any user device (PED 302) that attemptsto interface with a vehicle computing device. Note that certain standardand well-known components which are not germane to the present aspectsare not shown in FIG. 5.

The processing system 500 includes one or more processor(s) 502 andmemory 504, coupled to a bus system 505. The bus system 505 shown inFIG. 5 is an abstraction that represents any one or more separatephysical buses and/or point-to-point connections, connected byappropriate bridges, adapters and/or controllers. The bus system 505,therefore, may include, for example, a system bus, a PeripheralComponent Interconnect (PCI) bus, a HyperTransport or industry standardarchitecture (ISA) bus, a small computer system interface (SCSI) bus, auniversal serial bus (USB), or an Institute of Electrical andElectronics Engineers (IEEE) standard 1394 bus (sometimes referred to as“Firewire”) or any other interconnect type.

The processor(s) 502 are the central processing units (CPUs) of theprocessing system 500 and, thus, control its overall operation. Incertain aspects, the processors 502 accomplish this by executingsoftware stored in memory 504. A processor 502 may be, or may include,one or more programmable general-purpose or special-purposemicroprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), programmablecontrollers, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs),programmable logic devices (PLDs), or the like, or a combination of suchdevices.

Memory 504 represents any form of random access memory (RAM), read-onlymemory (ROM), flash memory, or the like, or a combination of suchdevices. Memory 504 includes the main memory of the processing system500. Instructions 506 may be used to implement CMI 315, module 312and/or the process steps of FIGS. 4A-4B described above.

Also connected to the processors 502 through the bus system 505 are oneor more internal mass storage devices 510, and a network adapter 512.Internal mass storage devices 510 may be, or may include anyconventional medium for storing large volumes of data in a non-volatilemanner, such as one or more magnetic or optical based disks, flashmemory, or solid-state drive.

The network adapter 512 provides the processing system 500 with theability to communicate with remote devices (e.g., over a network) andmay be, for example, an Ethernet adapter or the like.

The processing system 500 also includes one or more input/output (I/O)devices 508 coupled to the bus system 505. The I/O devices 508 mayinclude, for example, a display device, a keyboard, a mouse, etc. TheI/O device may be in the form of a handset having one or more of theforegoing components, such as a display with a real or virtual keyboard,buttons, and/or other touch-sensitive surfaces.

Thus, methods and systems for transmitting messages on transportationvehicles have been described.

Note that references throughout this specification to “one aspect” (or“embodiment”) or “an aspect” mean that a particular feature, structureor characteristic described in connection with the aspect is included inat least one aspect of the present disclosure. Therefore, it isemphasized and should be appreciated that two or more references to “anaspect” or “one aspect” or “an alternative aspect” in various portionsof this specification are not necessarily all referring to the sameaspect. Furthermore, the particular features, structures orcharacteristics being referred to may be combined as suitable in one ormore aspects of the disclosure, as will be recognized by those ofordinary skill in the art.

While the present disclosure is described above with respect to what iscurrently considered its preferred aspects, it is to be understood thatthe disclosure is not limited to that described above. To the contrary,the disclosure is intended to cover various modifications and equivalentarrangements within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

1. A method for communicating an announcement to passengers on apassenger transportation vehicle having seats, the method comprising:providing an information system on the vehicle in which the informationsystem includes mounted in the vehicle at least one of a wireless accesspoint and a plurality of seat display devices; operating the informationsystem to communicate with said at least one of a wireless access pointand a plurality of seat display devices; playing audio corresponding tothe announcement over a public address system of the transportationvehicle; causing text corresponding to the audio to display on personalelectronic devices in communication with the wireless access point, forthe information system having the wireless access point; causing text tocorresponding to the audio to display on the plurality of seat displaydevices for the information system having the plurality of seat displaydevices; determining that at least one of a personal electronic deviceand a seat display device is being used by a visually impaired passengerhaving a language preference based on a data structure maintained by theinformation system; causing the audio corresponding to the announcementto play on said at least one of a personal electronic device and saidseat display device in accordance with the determined languagepreference; and causing the audio to play on said at least one of apersonal electronic device and a seat display device corresponding tothe announcement in a default language, when the visually impairedpassenger language preference is not specified.
 2. The method of claim1, wherein each of said causing text corresponding to the audio todisplay on personal electronic devices and said causing text tocorresponding to the audio to display on the seat display devices ofsaid plurality includes: determining if there is a language preference;if no language preference is determined, displaying the text in a firstlanguage; and if a language preference is determined, displaying thetext in a second language based on the determined language preference.3. The method of claim 1, wherein the announcement is transmitted from acrew member device of the transportation vehicle.
 4. The method of claim1, wherein the language preference is based on individual passengerpreference.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the default language isbased on an itinerary of the transportation vehicle.
 6. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the information system on the vehicle includes awireless access point; the method further comprising operating thewireless access point to permit passengers to use a personal electronicdevice to place the personal electronic device in communication with theinformation system and receive content therefrom via the wireless accesspoint.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the transportation vehicle isone or more of an aircraft, a train, a bus, a ship and a recreationalvehicle.
 8. A method for communicating an announcement to passengers ona transportation vehicle, the method comprising: providing aninformation system on the vehicle in which the information systemincludes mounted in the vehicle at least one of a wireless access pointand a plurality of seat display devices; operating the informationsystem to communicate with said at least one of a wireless access pointand a plurality of seat display devices; selecting text for transmissionto passengers on the transportation vehicle corresponding to theannouncement; determining which passengers of the transportation vehiclehave an impairment based on a data structure maintained by theinformation system; causing audio corresponding to the text to play foreach passenger determined to have a visual impairment on a personalelectronic device associated with the passenger and in communicationwith the wireless access point for the information system having thewireless access point; and causing audio corresponding to the text toplay for each passenger determined to have a visual impairment on a seatdisplay device associated with the passenger for the information systemhaving the plurality of seat devices.
 9. The method of claim 8, whereinthe information system includes a wireless access point, the methodfurther comprising: determining if there is a language preference forpassengers; if a language preference is determined for a passenger,causing at least one of text and audio to be presented on a personalelectronic device associated with the passenger in accordance with thedetermined language preference; and if it is determined there is not alanguage preference for a passenger, causing at least of one text andaudio to be presented on a personal electronic device associated withthe passenger in a default language.
 10. The method of claim 9, whereinaudio is presented in the default language on the personal electronicdevice for a visually impaired passenger.
 11. The method of claim 9,wherein a passenger may enter a language preference.
 12. The method ofclaim 9, wherein the default language is based on an itinerary of thetransportation vehicle.
 13. The method of claim 8, wherein saidselecting text for transmission is selected by a crew member of thetransportation vehicle.
 14. The method of claim 8, wherein thetransportation vehicle is one or more of an aircraft, a train, a bus, aship and a recreational vehicle.
 15. A system for communicatingannouncements to passengers on a transportation vehicle in which atleast some passengers have personal electronic devices, the systemcomprising: an information system installable on the vehicle, theinformation system including: at least one of a wireless access pointconfigured to permit passengers to receive communications from theentertainment and communication system on their personal electronicdevice, and a plurality of seat display devices; a public address systemincluding speakers for communicating audio announcements to passengersin the vehicle; and a memory including a non-transitory, machinereadable medium comprising machine executable code, and a processormodule coupled to the memory, the processor module executing the machineexecutable code to: permit selection of an announcement forcommunication to passengers on a transportation vehicle via the publicaddress system; determine if there is a hearing impairment for apassenger based on a data structure maintained by the informationsystem; wherein for a passenger determined to have a hearing impairment,causes text corresponding to the audio to display on a personalelectronic device being used by that passenger in communication with thewireless access point, for the information system having the wirelessaccess point; and wherein for a passenger determined to have a hearingimpairment, causes text corresponding to the audio to display on a seatdisplay device of the plurality of seat display devices that isassociated with that passenger, for the information system having theplurality of seat devices.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein theprocessor module executing the machine executable code further:determines if there is a language preference for the passenger, and ifit is determined there is a language preference, causes textcorresponding to the audio to display for the passenger according to thedetermined language preference, and if there is no language preference,causes text corresponding to the audio to display in a default language.17. The system of claim 15, wherein the language preference is enteredby the passenger.
 18. The system of claim 15, wherein the defaultlanguage is based on an itinerary of the transportation vehicle.
 19. Thesystem of claim 15, wherein the information system includes both awireless access point and seat display devices and the text is displayedon seat display device associated with the passenger, and on a personalelectronic device associated with the passenger if the personalelectronic is in communication with the wireless access point.
 20. Thesystem of claim 15, wherein the transportation vehicle is one or more ofan aircraft, a train, a bus, a ship and a recreational vehicle.